5 Things That Helped Me Find The Right Baby Formula
As new parents, we’re flooded with information and advice on how to best care for our children. While this is incredibly important and worthwhile, I’ve learned just how critical it is to do your own research and due diligence, and trust your gut when it comes to decision making.
After having my first beautiful baby boy, Brady, who is now 10 months old, and having tried over 20 different baby formulas, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to find the best one.
Here are five tips that worked for me:
1. Talk to other mums
Picking a baby formula may seem like a simple choice, but all the options can be overwhelming and sometimes what works for others might not work for you. However, a good starting point is to ask other mums in your community. These women have been through it already! They will have their own recommendations and little tips and tricks that can’t be found elsewhere. Listen and learn from their experience.
2. Look at what’s most popular
For a second opinion, ask the staff at pharmacies and local stores on what is the most popular brand. This will give you an indication of what brand has a loyal following and there is likely a good reason for this! The more recommendations you get, the better position you’re in to make your final decision.
3. Research ingredients
A big learning for me was understanding what ingredients I wanted in a formula. After Brady experienced projectile vomiting, constipation and reflux from multiple formulas that didn’t work, I realised researching ingredients was going to be key to finding one that did. I looked for natural ingredients, but it wasn’t always easy to get a full overview of everything contained in a formula.
Some brands don’t share all the information – for me, that’s a red flag! A big reason we settled with Grass Fed Milk formula was because the website shares all ingredients and where they are sourced from. Its ethically produced, natural and a grass-fed supply. My dad grew up on a dairy farm, so I know how important grass fed supply is! It’s something I would encourage all new mums to consider in their formula research.
4. Price doesn’t matter when sleep is key
When buying most things in life, price is a key factor! However, when it comes to baby formulas, a cheap alternative is simply not worth the struggle of having an unhappy and uncomfortable baby.
Price was not a deciding factor for me, and it hasn’t been for any of the other mums I know, because a good formula can change everything. A happy baby that sleeps is worth the extra dollars. Our family knows this – we had to go through 20 formulas – before finding the right one for Brady.
5. Try and try again – don’t settle
My last piece of advice is not to settle. You shouldn’t have to accept discomfort for your child. Try every formula until you find the right fit. Every baby is different, and there will be one ideal formula out there for them.
At one point, the nurses deemed Brady ‘Failure to Thrive’, but we persevered with trying new formulas and after so much struggle, Brady is now an adorable, curious and happy little human! Four months on the right formula and it’s been life-changing.
Lastly, I’d say don’t be too hard on yourself and always trust your instincts. You’ll want nothing more than to get everything right. You’ll read parenting books, listen to podcasts, ask endless questions of other parents, etc. At the end of the day though, no one is perfect, so don’t sweat the small stuff! Mums really do know best!
